St Kilda coach Ross Lyon has strongly defended Steven Baker, but adds there is no way the club can appeal against his AFL suspension.

Baker had an unsuccessful visit to the AFL tribunal on Tuesday night, meaning he must serve a nine match suspension.

The heavy ban relates to four separate charges involving Baker's opponent Steve Johnson in last Friday night's match against Geelong.

The ban means Baker is out of action until the first week of the finals.

The Saints are disappointed at the severity of the punishment, but Lyon said they must accept the penalty.

"What it is is what it is...you only appeal on an error in law and certainly we don't think that has been the case," he said.

"We are not appealing because we don't think it is appropriate."

Lyon said Baker acknowledged that there was a 15 minute period in the game where he and Johnson obviously went outside the rules.

But Lyon added their running battle in that short period was not a reflection of the whole game or how Baker usually played his football.

"That is not typical of Steven...he certainly beats players on his merits," Lyon said.

Baker received some harsh criticism during the tribunal hearing with a suggestion that he was unmanly when he tried to hit Johnson's hand, knowing it was injured.

But Lyon brushed aside those comments, saying it was a point of view that was irrelevant.

In other St Kilda news, Lyon said captain Nick Riewoldt would not make his comeback in Sunday's match against Melbourne.

Riewoldt has been out of action since round three because of hamstring tendon surgery and he is expected back within a fortnight.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP